Sounder Train Station

I live in Renton so catching the Amtrak Cascades to Portland from the Tukwila station is really convenient. The new station is really nice. No there’s no big station there, but who needs it. I bought my round trip ticket online, parked in the lot, and I’m off to spend the day in the Pearl District.
I caught the early train, around 7:30 am and the last one out of Union Station in Portland at 6:50 pm. I love riding trains and this is a great one. The cars are clean and comfortable. I love the fact they now have access to power so you can charge up your phones etc. and good WiFi, so I get a few things done online.
With a few stops along the way, Tacoma, Olympia, Centralia, and Vancouver then over the Columbia River into Portland it’s a three hour trip and the views are wonderful. I’m traveling with a friend so we had ample time to catch up and talk. We hung out in the Bistro car on the way to Portland. It was fun drinking coffee and talking about pretty much everything under the sun.
Work used to take me to Portland often so I’ve taken this train several times. But since 2010 I haven’t. The last time I caught the train at the Tukwila Station it still had the old wooden platform. When I got back that evening I really appreciated how well the station and the parking lot were well lighted at night.
All in all, a great experience, friendly service, a really enjoyable way to travel.

This has turned out to be quite efficient with lots of parking! Some spots are designated for Amtrak but I’ve not seen the lot actually fill up so hopefully those are used appropriately. Although the bus loop flow is a little odd, the passenger drop off area was a smart addition for both the bus loop and train service. The platforms are solid, well lit, and have plenty of covered area with basic seating. There’s a self service machine for tickets neat the bus loop. Much improved from the old wooden platforms. Not sure if there are any other amenities planned.

This is not a place I would have even known existed unless I had someone to explain it.
There is weekday service that has an attendant thankfully, because I would be thouroughly confused by the north-​south bound train directions.
The weekend train service does not have an attendant and I will use other platforms in the future.

A stop for Amtrak and the Sounder between Seattle and Tacoma. The least amenities compared to the other stations, only 2 small covered areas, platform is built on top of wooden planks
Parking Lot is also extremely full, and most of the spots are taken by van pool. Not a good place to park and get on the train.